Day in the Life of a Magnolia Farmer

Spring has arrived, announced by the buds of the flowers present on the graceful branches of our magnolia trees here on our farm. Each morning I start my day with a sense of gratitude as I make my way through the office, greeting each team member and checking in on how orders are going and how our customers are doing. In Florida we are blessed with a lot of beautiful days and today is a particularly lovely one. The sun is making its way over the horizon, which casts a golden glow over the greenhouses and gardens that make up the heart of our farm.

Entering the greenhouses, the sweet fragrance of magnolia seedlings and freshly watered soil always provides the best welcome. Within our greenhouses, our team and I check on the growth of our magnolia tree seedlings, ensuring that their roots are healthy and their soil is rich and moist. Tending to these seedlings can be complicated as they are fragile and sensitive to the smallest environmental change, but there is almost nothing that fills me up as watching them grow from cuttings to flourishing trees that reach towards the heavens.

Moving on to the workshop, I’m greeted with the sound of laughter and chatter, as our team of artisans create handmade magnolia wreaths and pack gift trees like bright pink hydrangeas and fragrant gardenias. It’s truly a joy to watch the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into each piece, each one a unique and beautiful creation that reflects the essence of our farm.

As I walk through the workshop, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder, as if I am standing in a sacred space. It’s a feeling that I often have on this farm, where the beauty of nature and the creativity of our team come together to create something truly made with love. The sense of community and family that permeates every aspect of our work is what makes what I do so special.

Leaving the workshop, I head across the street to our gift tree nursery, where I check on the health and strength of our more mature trees. As I walk among the rows of trees in their individual pots, each one reaching towards the sky, I think of the symbolism of the magnolia trees and how each one represents strength, resilience, and growth, qualities that we strive to embody in our work at the Magnolia Farm.

Throughout the day, there are meetings to attend and problems to solve, unexpected bumps in the road that require our attention. But through it all, we are grateful for every moment, every opportunity to nurture and grow our farm, our team, and ourselves. It’s a privilege to be a magnolia farmer, to work in this special space where nature and people come together to create something special for our customers.

As the sun begins to set, I make my way to our 110 acre magnolia grove, where the trees stand tall and proud, a testament to the beauty and power of nature. Taking in the sight of the groves bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, I know it’s been a long day, but a fulfilling one, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible farm, this incredible community.